Fluid flow control based on a liquid level in a container

ABSTRACT

Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for fluid flow control. A container is shaped to receive a liquid. An inlet is configured to allow the liquid to enter the container. An outlet is configured to allow the liquid to exit the container. A float is disposed within the container. A valve is actuated based on a position of the float within the container to open the valve at a first liquid level within the container and to close the valve at a different liquid level within the container.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This claims the benefit of United States Provisional Patent ApplicationNumber 63/272,651 entitled “FLUID FLOW CONTROL BASED ON A LIQUID LEVELIN A CONTAINER” and filed on Oct. 27, 2021, for Justin C. Sitz and ofUnited States Provisional Patent Application Number 63/311,950 entitled“FLUID FLOW CONTROL BASED ON A LIQUID LEVEL IN A CONTAINER” and filed onFeb. 18, 2022, both of which are incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety for all purposes.

FIELD

This invention relates to fluid flow control and more particularlyrelates to fluid flow control based on a liquid level in a container.

BACKGROUND

Valves control fluid flow for a variety of applications, such as forirrigation, or for filling or topping up livestock tanks, ponds, pools,industrial fluid tanks, or the like. However, varying circumstances maycall for varying amounts of fluid flow at varying times, or for varyingdurations. For example, when the weather has been dry or warm, it may bedesirable to irrigate plants more often, or for longer durations, or atdifferent times. Manual valve control to adjust fluid delivery forvarying circumstances may be time-consuming or burdensome.

More complex valve control systems may use electricity to actuatevalves, to communicate with sensors that determine local circumstances,or the like, and may not be usable if electrical power is not available.For example, a new home may be constructed with an electricallycontrolled sprinkler system, but the electrically controlled sprinklersystem may not be usable to water already-installed landscaping untilafter a final electrical inspection. Further, valves that are notelectrical may turn on and off at a single water level, making timingdifficult or impossible, or even causing the valve to rapidly cycle onand off, uncontrollably.

SUMMARY

Apparatuses are disclosed for fluid flow control. In one embodiment, acontainer is shaped to receive a liquid. An inlet, in some embodiments,is configured to allow the liquid to enter the container. In certainembodiments, an outlet is configured to allow the liquid to exit thecontainer. In a further embodiment, a valve is actuated to open thevalve at a first liquid level of the liquid within the container and toclose the valve at a different liquid level of the liquid within thecontainer.

Valves are disclosed for fluid control. A valve, in one embodiment,includes a piston chamber. A valve, in certain embodiments, includes apiston disposed within the piston chamber and coupled to a magnet sothat the piston moves within the piston chamber in response to amagnetic field. In a further embodiment, a valve includes a diaphragmdisposed along one side of the piston chamber and actuated by movementof the piston within the piston chamber to open the valve at a firstposition of the piston within the piston chamber and to close the valveat a different position of the piston within the piston chamber.

Systems are disclosed for fluid flow control. In certain embodiments, acontainer is shaped to receive a liquid. A container, in one embodiment,comprises an outlet configured to allow the liquid to exit thecontainer. In a further embodiment, a float is disposed within thecontainer. A valve, in some embodiments, is actuated based on a positionof the float within the container to open the valve at a first liquidlevel within the container and to close the valve at a different liquidlevel within the container to control a fluid flow. In one embodiment,an output line is coupled to the valve and configured to convey thefluid flow from the valve to a location outside the container, so thelocation outside the container does not receive the liquid directly fromthe outlet. A bleed-off outlet, in certain embodiments, is configured todivert the liquid from the fluid flow into the container.

Methods are disclosed for fluid control. In one embodiment, a methodincludes receiving a liquid in a container comprising an outlet. Amethod, in a further embodiment, includes allowing the liquid to exitthe container via the outlet. In some embodiments, a method includesactuating a valve based on a liquid level in the container to open thevalve at a first liquid level within the container and to close thevalve at a different liquid level within the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the advantages of the invention will be readilyunderstood, a more particular description of the invention brieflydescribed above will be rendered by reference to specific embodimentsthat are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that thesedrawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are nottherefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the inventionwill be described and explained with additional specificity and detailthrough the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating one embodiment of an apparatus forfluid flow control;

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating another embodiment of an apparatusfor fluid flow control;

FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating another embodiment of an apparatusfor fluid flow control;

FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating another embodiment of an apparatusfor fluid flow control;

FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating another embodiment of an apparatusfor fluid flow control;

FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating another embodiment of an apparatusfor fluid flow control;

FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating one embodiment of a system for fluidflow control;

FIG. 8 is a top view illustrating one embodiment of a user-adjustableaperture;

FIG. 9 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating one embodiment ofa method for fluid flow control;

FIG. 10 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating anotherembodiment of a method for fluid flow control;

FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating another embodiment of an apparatusfor fluid flow control;

FIG. 12 is a top view illustrating one embodiment of an apparatus forfluid flow control;

FIG. 13A is a side view illustrating another embodiment of an apparatusfor fluid flow control;

FIG. 13B is a side view illustrating another embodiment of an apparatusfor fluid flow control;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of anapparatus for fluid control comprising a delay latch;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of anapparatus for fluid control comprising a delay latch;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of anapparatus for fluid flow control;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of anapparatus for fluid flow control;

FIG. 18A is a side view illustrating another embodiment of an apparatusfor fluid flow control;

FIG. 18B is a side view illustrating another embodiment of an apparatusfor fluid flow control;

FIG. 18C is a side view illustrating another embodiment of an apparatusfor fluid flow control;

FIG. 18D is a side view illustrating another embodiment of an apparatusfor fluid flow control;

FIG. 19A is a top view illustrating another embodiment of an apparatusfor fluid flow control;

FIG. 19B is a side view illustrating another embodiment of an apparatusfor fluid flow control;

FIG. 19C is a side view illustrating another embodiment of an apparatusfor fluid flow control;

FIG. 19D is a side view illustrating another embodiment of an apparatusfor fluid flow control;

FIG. 20A is a side view illustrating another embodiment of an apparatusfor fluid flow control;

FIG. 20B is a side view illustrating another embodiment of an apparatusfor fluid flow control;

FIG. 20C is a side view illustrating another embodiment of an apparatusfor fluid flow control;

FIG. 20D is a side view illustrating another embodiment of an apparatusfor fluid flow control;

FIG. 20E is a side view illustrating another embodiment of an apparatusfor fluid flow control;

FIG. 21A is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of anapparatus for fluid flow control;

FIG. 21B is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of anapparatus for fluid flow control;

FIG. 22A is a side view illustrating another embodiment of an apparatusfor fluid flow control;

FIG. 22B is a side view illustrating another embodiment of an apparatusfor fluid flow control;

FIG. 23 is an exploded side view illustrating another embodiment of anapparatus for fluid flow control; and

FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view illustrating another embodimentof an apparatus for fluid flow control.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases“in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughoutthis specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the sameembodiment, but mean “one or more but not all embodiments” unlessexpressly specified otherwise. The terms “including,” “comprising,”“having,” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to”unless expressly specified otherwise. An enumerated listing of itemsdoes not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusiveand/or mutually inclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. Theterms “a,” “an,” and “the” also refer to “one or more” unless expresslyspecified otherwise.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics ofthe invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details areincluded to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of theinvention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, thatthe invention may be practiced without one or more of the specificdetails, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. Inother instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are notshown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of theinvention.

The schematic flow chart diagrams included herein are generally setforth as logical flow chart diagrams. As such, the depicted order andlabeled steps are indicative of one embodiment of the presented method.Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalent infunction, logic, or effect to one or more steps, or portions thereof, ofthe illustrated method. Additionally, the format and symbols employedare provided to explain the logical steps of the method and areunderstood not to limit the scope of the method. Although various arrowtypes and line types may be employed in the flow chart diagrams, theyare understood not to limit the scope of the corresponding method.Indeed, some arrows or other connectors may be used to indicate only thelogical flow of the method. For instance, an arrow may indicate awaiting or monitoring period of unspecified duration between enumeratedsteps of the depicted method. Additionally, the order in which aparticular method occurs may or may not strictly adhere to the order ofthe corresponding steps shown.

As used herein, a list with a conjunction of “and/or” includes anysingle item in the list or a combination of items in the list. Forexample, a list of A, B and/or C includes only A, only B, only C, acombination of A and B, a combination of B and C, a combination of A andC or a combination of A, B and C. As used herein, a list using theterminology “one or more of” includes any single item in the list or acombination of items in the list. For example, one or more of A, B and Cincludes only A, only B, only C, a combination of A and B, a combinationof B and C, a combination of A and C or a combination of A, B and C. Asused herein, a list using the terminology “one of” includes one and onlyone of any single item in the list. For example, “one of A, B and C”includes only A, only B or only C and excludes combinations of A, B andC. As used herein, “a member selected from the group consisting of A, B,and C,” includes one and only one of A, B, or C, and excludescombinations of A, B, and C.” As used herein, “a member selected fromthe group consisting of A, B, and C and combinations thereof” includesonly A, only B, only C, a combination of A and B, a combination of B andC, a combination of A and C or a combination of A, B and C.

FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of an apparatus 100 a for fluid flowcontrol. In the depicted embodiment, the apparatus 100 a includes acontainer 106, a valve 108, and an output line 114, which are describedbelow.

In various embodiments, an apparatus 100 for fluid flow control, such asthe apparatuses 100 a-f of FIGS. 1-6 , may use a valve 108 to control afluid flow based on a liquid level 112 in a container 106. The container106 may receive a liquid and may include an outlet 102 allowing theliquid to exit the container 106. An output line 114 may convey thefluid flow to a location 116 that is outside the container 106, and thatdoes not receive liquid directly from the outlet 102.

In some embodiments, using an apparatus 100 that controls fluid flow toa location 116 based on a liquid level 112 in a container 106 may avoidtime-consuming or burdensome manual valve control. For example, if thevalve 108 controls a flow of water, for irrigation, for filling up alivestock tank, for filling a pool, or the like, evaporation of water inthe container 106 may lower the liquid level 112 so that the valve 108turns the flow of water on. Subsequently, water entering the container106 from precipitation, from sprinklers, or from a return line (notshown in FIG. 1 ) may raise the liquid level 112 so that the valve 108turns the flow of water off. Such an apparatus 100 may turn the waterflow on more frequently or for longer durations when evaporation throughthe outlet 102 is faster, on dry warm, and/or windy days, and may turnthe water flow on less frequently or for shorter durations in cooler,wetter, or less windy weather, without a user manually adjusting theflow of water to compensate for changing circumstances.

Additionally, in some embodiments, using an apparatus 100 that controlsfluid flow to a location 116 based on a liquid level 112 in a container106 may provide flow control without using electricity, and may beusable in circumstances where electrically controlled valves are notusable. For example, in some embodiments, the valve 108 is mechanicallyactuated based on the liquid level 112 (e.g., mechanically coupled tothe liquid level 112 via a float 110, a pressure sensing diaphragm, orthe like), so that the apparatus 100 does not use electricity. Such anapparatus 100 may be usable where electric power is not available. Forexample, an apparatus 100 may be used to control water delivery tosprinklers when landscaping for a building has been put in before anelectrical permit has been issued. In some other embodiments, however,apparatuses 100 that controls fluid flow to a location 116 based on aliquid level 112 in a container 106 may use electricity, and may includeelectrically operated valves 108, liquid level sensors, or the like.

The container 106, in various embodiments, is shaped to receive aliquid. A level 112 for the liquid in the container 106 is depicted inFIGS. 1-6 . A container 106 may be a vessel, a receptacle, an enclosure,or the like. A container 106 shaped to receive liquid may partially orfully enclose an interior volume, so that liquid remains in the interiorvolume for a period of time (e.g., until it exits the container 106 viathe outlet 102). For example, a container 106 may include a bottom,which may be flat, convex, concave, or a more complex shape, so thatliquid received in the container 106 does not fall downward out of thecontainer 106 and may include walls which extend up from the bottom ofthe container 106, so that liquid received in the container 106 does notrun out the sides of the container 106. A container 106 shaped toreceive liquid may or may not include a top. A container 106 may includeone or more openings where liquid may enter or exit the container 106and may still be referred to as being shaped to receive liquid.

Containers 106, in various embodiments, may be made of variousmaterials, such as metal, polymers (e.g., thermoplastic or thermosetpolymers), ceramic, glass or the like. In some embodiments, a container106 may be formed of a material selected to receive and contain theliquid. For example, if the container 106 is to be used to receivewater, the container 106 may be made of a material that is impervious,or substantially impervious to water, such as a polymer. In someembodiments, a container 106 may include a material that allows a liquidto exit the container 106. For example, one portion of a container 106may include a membrane permeable to water (e.g., as an outlet 102, asdescribed below), and may still be referred to as being shaped toreceive water. In various embodiments, a container 106 may be a can,ajar, a bottle, a pipe with an end cap, or the like. Various other orfurther types of containers 106 shaped to receive liquid may be includedin an apparatus 100.

In FIGS. 1-6 , the container 106 is depicted in cross section, forconvenience in showing components of the apparatus 100 that are disposedwithin the container 106, and the full shape of the container 106 is notshown. Although the walls of the container 106 are depicted only incross section, they may be curved walls of a cylindrical container 106,flat walls of a rectilinear or box-shaped container 106, sloping wallsof a tapered container 106, or the like.

When the apparatus 100 is used, the container 106 may receive or containa liquid. The liquid, in some embodiments, is water. For example, wherethe apparatus 100 is used to control a fluid flow based on outdoorconditions, the liquid may be water from precipitation, groundwater,water from an irrigation system, or the like. In some other embodiments,the liquid is a liquid other than water, or is a mixture or solutionincluding water and one or more other substances. For example, if theapparatus 100 is used to control a fluid flow based on conditions in achemical plant, the liquid may be a chemical affected by the relevantconditions.

In some embodiments, the liquid may enter the container 106 via anoutlet 102, which is described in further detail below with reference toliquid exiting the container 106. In some other embodiments, the liquidmay enter the container 106 other than by the outlet 102. For example,liquid may enter the container 106 via a return line described belowwith reference to FIG. 2 .

In various embodiments, the container 106 includes an outlet 102configured to allow the liquid to exit the container 106. Liquid may bereferred to as “exiting” the container 106 if any portion of the liquidis no longer in the container 106. For example, liquid entering thecontainer 106 may raise the liquid level 112, and liquid exiting thecontainer 106 may lower the liquid level 112. In some embodiments,liquid may simultaneously enter and exit the container 106 (e.g.,precipitation and evaporation may occur simultaneously) so that theliquid level 112 rises or falls depending on whether the rate of liquidentering the container 106 is greater or less than the rate at whichliquid exits the container 106. In certain embodiments, the liquid level112 falling (or rising less quickly) may be referred to as liquid“exiting” the container 106, regardless of whether the substance that isin liquid form in the container 106 leaves the container 106 in liquidform or otherwise. For example, water leaving the container 106 by beingdrained from the container 106 in liquid form or by evaporating out ofthe container 106 in gaseous form may both be referred to as a liquidexiting the container 106.

An outlet 102 may be referred to as “configured” to allow a liquid toexit the container 106, if the shape, position, or any other attributeof the outlet 102 permit the liquid to exit the container 106. Forexample, in the depicted embodiment, the outlet 102 is an opening in thetop of the container 106, allowing liquid to exit the container 106 byevaporation. In another embodiment, an outlet 102 may be positioned inthe side of the container 106, in the bottom of the container 106, orthe like, and may allow liquid to exit by draining from the container106. In some embodiments a size and/or shape of the outlet 102 mayaffect a rate at which liquid exits from the container 106. For example,the size of an evaporation outlet 102 may affect an evaporation rate.Similarly, if the outlet 102 is an opening that allows liquid to exit bydraining from the container 106, a smaller outlet 102 may result inliquid exiting in slow drips, while a larger outlet 102 may result inliquid exiting faster.

In some embodiments, an outlet 102 may be an opening, and may allowanything that fits through the opening to enter or exit the container106 In certain embodiments, an outlet 102 may include a covering toprovide a selective effect, such as a mesh, membrane, or other permeablematerial that prevents dirt or debris from entering the container 106while still permitting liquid to exit (or enter) the container 106, atop covering with open sides (e.g., similar to a chimney cap) to permitevaporation but exclude precipitation, or the like. In some embodiments,an outlet 102 may include a plurality of openings such as a topevaporation opening and a lower drain opening but may still be referredto as an “outlet” regardless of the number of openings. Various other orfurther sizes, shapes, configurations, and types of outlets 102 forallowing liquid to exit a container 106 may be included in an apparatus100.

The valve 108, in the depicted embodiment, is configured to control afluid flow based on the liquid level 112 in the container 106. A valve108, in various embodiments, may be any device that controls orregulates a fluid flow. In the depicted embodiment, the valve 108controls a fluid flow through the valve 108, from an inlet 104 throughthe output line 114. The inlet 104, in the depicted embodiment, isconfigured to connect to a hose, pipe, or other threaded connector sothat the valve 108 controls a flow of water. In another embodiment, aninlet 104 may be a fitting or connection that couples the apparatus 100to a fluid source such as a storage tank, a pipe, or the like.Controlling a fluid flow may include permitting or turning on a fluidflow (e.g., when the valve 108 opens), and/or blocking or turning off afluid flow (e.g., when the valve 108 closes). In some embodiments,controlling a fluid flow may include permitting a limited or restrictedfluid flow. For example, some valves 108 may have one or more “partiallyon” positions or states between the on position and the off positionthat permit less fluid to flow than when the valves 108 are fully open.

Various types of valves 108 may control a fluid flow in various ways.For example, a valve 108 may include movable component such as aplunger, a diaphragm, a ball, or the like and may turn a fluid flow onor off based on the position of the movable component. Various other orfurther types of valves 108 for controlling a fluid flow may be includedin an apparatus 100.

In various embodiments, a valve 108 configured to control a fluid flowbased on a liquid level 112 may be any valve 108 that is coupled to theliquid level 112 so that the state of the valve 108 (e.g., on, off,partially on, or the like) depends on the liquid level 112. In someembodiments, a valve 108 configured to control a fluid flow based on aliquid level 112 may include or may be coupled to one or more partsconfigured to move, change state, or the like, based on the liquid level112, to actuate the valve 108 (e.g., turn the fluid flow on or off)based on the liquid level 112. For example, in the depicted embodiment,the valve 108 includes a float 110 that floats in the container 106 atthe liquid level 112, so that the valve 108 turns on when the float 110falls (e.g., below a threshold liquid level 112 for turning the valve108 on) and turns off when the float 110 rises (e.g., above a thresholdliquid level 112 for turning the valve 108 off). In another embodiment,a valve 108 configured to control a fluid flow based on a liquid level112 may include a diaphragm or pressure sensor to be submerged in theliquid so that the pressure on the diaphragm or pressure sensorcorresponds to the liquid level 112 (e.g., at or near the bottom of thecontainer 106). Such a valve 108 may turn on or off based on thepressure.

In some embodiments, a valve 108 configured to control a fluid flowbased on a liquid level 112 may be a commercially available tank-fillingvalve. For example, tank-filling valves may be used for livestockwatering, evaporative cooling, filling toilet cisterns, or the like.Such valves 108 may also be suitable for use in an apparatus 100.

In the depicted embodiment, the valve 108 is disposed in the container106. Disposing a valve 108 in the container 106 may, in certainembodiment, provide a compact apparatus 100. In another embodiment, avalve 108 may be disposed at least partially outside the container 106but may include or be coupled to an actuator such as a float 110 ordiaphragm inside the container 106.

A fluid flow controlled by the valve 108, in various embodiments, may bethe flow, movement, or current, of a fluid through the valve 108 (e.g.,from the inlet 104 though the output line 114). The fluid for which thevalve 108 controls a flow, in some embodiments, may be the same as theliquid in the container 106. For example, for irrigation, the liquid inthe container 106 may be water, and the fluid flow controlled by thevalve 108 may be a flow of water. In some other embodiments, the fluidfor which the valve 108 controls a flow may be different from the liquidin the container 106. For example, a valve 108 may control treated waterthat includes a fertilizer or herbicide for irrigation, chlorine forpool filling, or the like, while the liquid in the container 106 may beuntreated or diluted. In certain embodiments, the valve 108 or the fluidflow controlled by the valve 108 may be coupled to a container or tankfor storing an additive, a device that adds an additive into the fluidflow, or the like.

The output line 114, in the depicted embodiment, is coupled to the valve108, and configured to convey the fluid flow from the valve 108 to alocation 116 outside the container 106. An output line 114, in variousembodiments, may be any tube, hose, pipe, channel, or the like, capableof conveying a fluid. For example, in one embodiment, an output line 114may be flexible irrigation tubing. In another embodiment, an output line114 may be a rigid pipe. An output line 114 coupled to the valve 108 mayreceive fluid from the valve 108 (e.g., when the valve 108 is open), andmay convey the fluid to the location 116. In one embodiment, an outputline 114 may be detachably coupled to the valve 108. For example, a tubeor hose as an output line 114 may be coupled to or detached from thevalve 108 via a fitting or connector. In another embodiment, an outputline 114 may be non-detachably coupled to the valve 108, integrallyformed as part of the valve 108, or the like.

In one embodiment, an output line 114 may be referred to as “configured”to convey a fluid flow from the valve 108 to a location 116 outside acontainer 106 if the output line 114 is actually disposed with one endat the valve 108 and another end at the location 116. In anotherembodiment, an output line 114 may not yet be disposed between the valve108 and the location 116 (e.g., when the apparatus 100 is being stored,transported, set up, or is otherwise not in use), but may neverthelessbe referred to as “configured” to convey a fluid flow from the valve 108to a location 116 outside a container 106 if the output line 114 is longenough to reach a location 116 outside the container 106 when theapparatus 100 is in use, is shaped to reach a location 116 outside thecontainer 106 when the apparatus 100 is in use, or the like.

A location 116 outside the container 106, in various embodiments, may beany place, region, or area that is not within the container 106. Forexample, where an apparatus 100 is used for irrigation, a location 116outside the container 106 may be a location where one or more plants areto be watered. Similarly, where an apparatus 100 is used for filling atank or pool, the location 116 may be the tank or pool.

Additionally, in various embodiments, the location 116 outside thecontainer 106 does not receive the liquid that exits the container 106directly from the outlet 102. A location 116 that does not receiveliquid directly from the outlet 102 of a container 106 may, in someembodiments, be disposed some distance away from the container 106and/or the outlet 102 so that liquid leaving the container 106 (or, atleast most of the liquid leaving the container 106) via the outlet 102does not arrive at the location 116. For example, a location 116 thatdoes not receive liquid directly from the outlet 102 of a container 106may be a location that is not substantially in fluid communication withthe outlet 102. However, in certain embodiments, a location 116 thatdoes not receive liquid directly from the outlet 102 may still receivesome amount of liquid indirectly from the outlet 102. For example, somesmall fraction of a liquid that exits an outlet 102 via evaporation mayeventually condense at the location 116. Similarly, if an outlet 102allows liquid from the container 106 to drain into the ground, thelocation 116 may be ground (e.g., a garden plot, a bed, or the like)disposed away from the outlet 102, and some small fraction of the liquiddischarged from the outlet 102 may eventually reach the location 116 asgroundwater. However, such a location 116 may still be referred to asnot receiving liquid directly from the outlet 102 because the outlet 102is not configured to discharge liquid directly at the location 116.

In certain embodiments, controlling a fluid flow to a location 116outside a container 106 based on a liquid level 112 inside the container106 may allow an apparatus 100 to be compact. For example, in someembodiments the liquid in the container 106 may be for control only (sothat liquid leaving via the outlet 102 affects the liquid level 112 andthe valve 108), and not for use at the location 116. In furtherembodiments, with liquid in the container 106 used for control only, anapparatus 100 may include a small container 106 where the amount ofliquid in the container 106 is much less than (e.g., less than 50% of,less than 20% of, less than 10% of, less than 5% of, or even less than1% of) an amount of fluid delivered to the location 116 when the valve108 turns on.

By contrast, where float valves are used for tank filling in othercontexts, the tank may be where the water is ultimately used (e.g.,livestock may drink from the tank), or may be a reservoir with an outletcarrying water to where it is ultimately used (e.g., an evaporativecooler may pump water from the tank to evaporative pads above the tank).In either case, the tank may be large to hold the amount of water thatis actually to be used and may require a float valve to be permanentlyor durably installed. Conversely, in various embodiments, an apparatus100 that uses a liquid level 112 in a container 106 for control of avalve 108 only may be small and portable, because it does not need tohold a large amount of the fluid that the valve 108 and the output line114 deliver to a location 116 outside the container 106.

FIG. 2 depicts another embodiment of an apparatus 100 b for fluid flowcontrol. In the depicted embodiment, the apparatus 100 b issubstantially similar to the apparatus 100 a described above withreference to FIG. 1 , including a container 106, a valve 108 and anoutput line 114, substantially as described above. In the depictedembodiment, the apparatus 100 b includes a mesh 202, a fill valve 204, adrain valve 206, a sleeve 208, a return line 212, a branch connector214, a return flow control device 210, and an output flow control device216, which are described below.

The sleeve 208, in the depicted embodiment, is shaped to receive thecontainer 106, and is configured to be disposed in the ground 218. Asleeve 208 shaped to receive the container 106, in various embodiments,may be a similar shape to the container 106, and may have one or moreinner dimensions that are at least as large as corresponding outerdimensions of the container 106, to admit the container 106. Forexample, if the container 106 is cylindrical, the sleeve 208 may becylindrical with an inner diameter at least as large as an outerdiameter of the container 106. Similarly, if the container 106 isrectilinear or box-shaped, the sleeve 208 may have an inner length andwidth at least as large as the outer length and width of the container106.

Ground 218, in various embodiments, may be an area of land, dirt, soil,or the like, and may include an area of land where dirt is naturallypresent on the surface of the earth, such as in a field or garden, ormay include a human-created area or region of dirt in a raised bed, aplant pot, or the like. The location 116 that receives fluid from theoutput line 114, in certain embodiments, may also be a region of ground218, separate from where the container 106 is disposed. In someembodiments, the apparatus 100 b is configured to be disposed in theground 218 (e.g., either directly or in a sleeve 208). An apparatus 100,container 106, or sleeve 208 configured to be disposed in the ground218, in various embodiments, may have a shape, a material, and/or otherattributes that exclude dirt or other substances from the inside of theapparatus 100, container 106, or sleeve 208. For example, in certainembodiments, a sleeve 208 configured to be disposed in the ground 218may include rigid walls made of metal, plastic, or the like. With asleeve 208 disposed in the ground 218, a user may place the container106 in the sleeve 208 or remove the container 106 from the sleeve 208.

In some embodiments, a user may bury the sleeve 208 in the ground 218,with an upper opening of the sleeve 208 uncovered. The user may disposethe container 106 in the sleeve 208 when the apparatus 100 b is in use.In certain embodiments, disposing the apparatus 100 b in the ground 218(e.g., in a sleeve 208) may leave the outlet 102 of the container 106exposed to permit evaporation, but may protect the buried portion of thecontainer 106 from damage (e.g., from lawn mowers, people stepping onthe container 106, or the like). In another embodiment, the container106 may be disposed directly in the ground 218, without a sleeve 208.However, the sleeve 208, in certain embodiments, may facilitate repeatedinsertion and removal of the container 106 from the same location in theground 218. For example, a user may remove the container 106 from thesleeve 208 to maintain or adjust the apparatus 100 b, then may replacethe apparatus 100 b in the sleeve 208.

In the depicted embodiment, the outlet 102 includes an openingconfigured to allow the liquid to exit the container 106 viaevaporation. In certain embodiments, an outlet 102 at or near the top ofthe container 106 may permit evaporation and may also allow fallingwater from precipitation or from sprinklers to enter the container 106.However, with the apparatus 100 b disposed in the ground 218, anevaporation outlet 102 may also allow dirt or debris to fall into thecontainer 106. Accordingly, in the depicted embodiment, the outlet 102includes a mesh 202 covering the outlet 102.

A mesh 202, in various embodiments, may be a material with small holesso that liquid can enter and/or exit the container 106 via the holes(e.g., via precipitation or evaporation), but so that solids larger thanthe holes are excluded from the container 106. For example, in variousembodiments a mesh 202 may be a wire grid, a plastic webbing or netting,a fabric, a material made or sold for window screens, or the like. Insome embodiments, holes may be sized to exclude solids such as dirt,debris, insects, or the like from the container 106.

The return line 212, in the depicted embodiment, is coupled to theoutput line 114, and is configured to divert a portion of the fluid flowcontrolled by the valve 108 from the output line 114 into the container106. In various embodiments, a return line 212, like the output line114, may be any tube, hose, pipe, channel, or the like, capable ofconveying a fluid, such as flexible irrigation tubing, a rigid pipe, orthe like. The return line 212 may be detachably or non-detachablycoupled to the output line 114. In certain embodiments, the return line212 may be coupled to the output line 114 outside the container 106. Infurther embodiments, a return line 212 configured to divert a portion ofthe fluid flow from the output line 114 may be coupled in fluidcommunication with the output line 114, so that a portion of the fluidflow from the valve 108 is diverted into the return line 212. Theremainder of the fluid flow in the output line 114 may still bedelivered to the location 116, as described above.

In certain embodiments, using a return line 212 to divert a portion ofthe fluid flow from the output line 114 into the container 106 mayaffect a run time for the apparatus 100 b. A run time, in variousembodiments, may be a time during which the valve 108 is open,delivering fluid to the location 116. For example, a run time may startwhen the liquid level 112 falls to a point that the valve 108 turns onand may end when the liquid level 112 rises to a point that the valve108 turns off.

In certain embodiments, where the apparatus 100 is used for irrigation,evaporation of liquid from the container 106 may lower the liquid level112, turning the valve 108 on, causing the output line 114 to deliverwater to one or more sprinklers at the location 116 outside thecontainer 106. The valve 108, in one embodiment, may be placed after asprinkler valve (e.g., a solenoid or other electrically controlledsprinkler valve), which may be on a timer or the like. For example, thevalve 108 may receive a fluid flow from a sprinkler valve and have oneor more sprinklers coupled to the output line, in order to preventoverwatering by the one or more sprinklers, to act as a moisturemonitoring system, or the like (e.g., based on the liquid level 112within the container 106).

In this manner, in some embodiments, even if a sprinkler system is setto turn on (e.g., for a preset time period, for preset days/times, orthe like) based on one or more other factors such as wind, shade, sunorientation, temperature, precipitation, or the like, watering may notbe necessary, and the valve 108 may ensure that little or no water isused until the liquid level 112 has dropped to a predefined level (e.g.,through evaporation, wicking, or the like), indicating that watering isneeded and/or otherwise desirable. In such embodiments, the apparatus100 may be disposed underground, in an irrigation box or othercontainer, or the like.

In some embodiments, water entering the container 106 may raise theliquid level 112, turning the valve 108 (and the sprinklers) off. Thus,the amount of water delivered to the location 116 may depend on how fastwater enters the container 106 to raise the liquid level 112. Similarly,when the apparatus 100 is used other than for irrigation, the rate atwhich fluid/liquid enters the container 106 may determine how long thevalve 108 remains on. Thus, in various embodiments, using a return line212 to divert a portion of the fluid flow from the output line 114 intothe container 106 may affect or determine the run time. The flow ratefor fluid entering the container 106 from the return line 212 maydetermine the rate at which the liquid level 112 rises, thus determininghow soon the valve 108 turns off.

In contrast, devices that rely on a liquid level falling to turn a fluidflow on, but that do not include a return line 212 to raise the liquidlevel and turn the fluid flow off, may rely on more complex ways ofturning a valve off. For example, a system may include electronic valvetimers to turn a valve off. Conversely, an apparatus 100 including areturn line 212 may turn a valve 108 on and off based on the liquidlevel 112, without relying on more complex electronics. In anotherembodiment, however, an apparatus 100 may be configured to raise theliquid level 112 when the valve 108 is on, without using a return line212. For example, the apparatus 100 may be disposed downhill from thelocation 116, or may include an opening allowing groundwater to enter,so that some irrigation water delivered to the location 116 runs backinto the container 106.

In the depicted embodiment, a branch connector 214 couples the returnline 212 to the output line 114. In certain embodiments, a branchconnector 214 may be disposed along the output line 114, between thevalve 108 and the location 116 outside the container 106. A branchconnector 214, in various embodiments, may be any connector or fittingthat permits a fluid from an inlet to flow to at least two differentoutlets or branches. The output line 114 may be coupled to the inlet ofthe branch connector 214 and to a first outlet, to convey fluid to thelocation 116, and the return line 212 may be coupled to a second outletof the branch connector 214, so that a portion of the fluid flowarriving at the inlet of the branch connector 214 is diverted to thereturn line 212 to convey fluid to the container 106. In variousembodiments, a branch connector 214 may be a “Y” connector, a “T”connector, or the like.

In the depicted embodiment, the apparatus 100 b includes a return flowcontrol device 210 and an output flow control device 216. Although botha return flow control device 210 and an output flow control device 216are present in the depicted embodiment, another embodiment of anapparatus 100 may include a return flow control device 210 without anoutput flow control device 216, or an output flow control device 216without a return flow control device 210. In another embodiment, anapparatus 100 may omit both the return flow control device 210 and anoutput flow control device 216.

A flow control device 210, 216, in various embodiments, such as a returnflow control device 210 and/or an output flow control device 216, may beany device that controls a flow rate. In one embodiment, a flow controldevice 210, 216 may be a valve that is adjustable by a user to increaseor decrease a flow rate, such as a ball valve, a butterfly valve, a plugvalve, or the like. In another embodiment, a flow control device 210,216 may be a non-adjustable device that controls or limits a flow rate.For example, the branch connector 214 may include a narrower bore in oneoutlet than in another outlet to limit the fluid flow in that outletrelative to the other outlet.

The return flow control device 210, in the depicted embodiment, isdisposed in fluid communication with the return line 212 to control afill rate for the container 106. As described above, the fill rate forthe container 106 may determine the run time for delivering fluid to thelocation 116. Thus, using a return flow control device 210 to limit ordecrease the fill rate may increase the run time. Conversely, omitting areturn flow control device 210 or adjusting a return flow control device210 to increase the fill rate may decrease the run time.

The output flow control device 216, in the depicted embodiment, isdisposed in fluid communication with the output line 114 to control anoutput rate for delivering fluid to the location 116. An output rate, invarious embodiments, may be the rate at which fluid is delivered to thelocation 116. In the depicted embodiment, the output flow control device216 is downstream of the branch connector 214 and controls the outputrate directly. In another embodiment, the output flow control device 216may be upstream from the branch connector 214 and/or the return flowcontrol device 210 and may control the total flow through the branchconnector 214, thus indirectly controlling the output rate, with thereturn flow control device 210 further controlling the fill rate for thecontainer 106.

In some embodiments, an apparatus 100 may include a manual override. Amanual override, in various embodiments, may be any device that allows auser to manually turn the valve 108 on by lowering the liquid level 112,and/or to manually turn the valve 108 off by raising the liquid level112. In some embodiments, a manual override may include a drain valve206 and/or a fill valve 204. In the depicted embodiment, a manualoverride includes both a drain valve 206 and a fill valve 204.

The fill valve 204, in one embodiment, is operable by a user to fill thecontainer 106. For example, in the depicted embodiment, the fill valve204 is coupled to the inlet 104 upstream from the valve 108. In anotherembodiment, a fill valve 204 may be coupled to a source of water (or ofanother liquid) separate from the inlet 104. A user may fill thecontainer 106 using the fill valve 204 to shorten the run-time of theapparatus 100, or to prevent the valve 108 from turning on. For example,if the apparatus 100 for irrigation, the user may fill the container 106using the fill valve 204 on a day when rain is predicted, to prevent thevalve 108 from turning on, or to turn the valve 108 off if it is alreadyon.

The drain valve 206, in one embodiment, is operable by a user to drainthe container 106. For example, the container 106 may include a drainopening at the bottom of the container 106, and a drain valve 206 may beclosed to prevent liquid from exiting the container 106 via the drainopening or may be opened to drain the container 106. In furtherembodiments, a user may open the drain valve 206 to drain the container106, thus turning the valve 108 on, and may then close the drain valve206, allowing the container 106 to re-fill (e.g., via the return line212) so that the valve 108 turn off after some period of time. In oneembodiment, a user may access the drain valve 206 by temporarilyremoving the container 106 from the sleeve 208. In another embodiment,the apparatus 100 may include a linkage connecting an above-groundcontrol to the drain valve 206, so that a user can operate the drainvalve 206 without removing the container 106 from the sleeve 208.

Additionally, in certain embodiments, an outlet 102 configured to allowliquid to exit the container 106 may include a drain, such as the drainvalve 206. In various embodiments, a drain may be an opening permittingliquid to drain out of the container 106 and may be a permanent openingsuch as a drain hole or an adjustable opening such as a drain valve 206.In the depicted embodiment, the outlet 102 includes both a topevaporation opening and a drain valve 206 allowing liquid to exit thecontainer 106. In another embodiment, an outlet 102 may include a drainor drain valve 206 without an evaporation opening. For example, thecontainer 106 may have a closed top. In another embodiment, an outlet102 may include an evaporation opening without a drain or drain valve206.

In certain embodiments, a drain rate for liquid exiting the container106 via a drain may control how often the valve 108 turns on or mayincrease a run time by effectively decreasing a fill rate. For example,in some embodiments, a user may adjust the drain valve 206 to drainliquid from the container 106 at a slow drip. Evaporation may causeliquid to exit the container 106 more quickly on hot or dry days, orless quickly on cool or wet days, thus turning the valve 108 on more orless often, but liquid slowly dripping out of the container 106 via thedrain valve 206 may cause the valve 108 to turn on at some minimumfrequency. In one embodiment, a minimum frequency for turning the valve108 on, corresponding to a drain rate, may be adjusted by adjusting adrain valve 206. In another embodiment, a minimum frequency for turningthe valve 108 on, corresponding to a drain rate, may be preset in anapparatus 100 with a fixed-size or non-adjustable drain opening.

FIG. 3 depicts another embodiment of an apparatus 100 c for fluid flowcontrol. In the depicted embodiment, the apparatus 100 c issubstantially similar to the apparatuses 100 a-b described above withreference to FIGS. 1-2 , including a container 106, a valve 108, anoutput line 114, a fill valve 204, a sleeve 208, a return line 212, areturn flow control device 210, and an output flow control device 216,substantially as described above. In the depicted embodiment, theapparatus 100 c includes a liquid level indicator 302, one or moresprinklers 304, and one or more permeable materials 306, 308.

A liquid level indicator 302, in various embodiments, may indicate theliquid level 112 in the container 106. In certain embodiments, it may bedifficult for a user to directly perceive the liquid level 112 in thecontainer 106. For example, if the container 106 is partially buried inthe ground 218, covered by a mesh 202, or the like, it may be difficultfor a user to see the liquid level 112. Thus, in certain embodiments, aliquid level indicator 302 may be any device that indicates or shows theliquid level 112 to a user, either directly or indirectly. For example,in one embodiment, if the container 106 is not buried, a liquid levelindicator 302 may be a transparent window in the side of the container106, permitting observation of the liquid level 112 through the window.In the depicted embodiment, the liquid level indicator 302 is a rodcoupled to the float 110 for the valve 108, so that the extent to whichthe rod extends out of the container 106 indicates the liquid level 112in the container 106. In another embodiment, a liquid level indicator302 may be coupled to a float separate from the valve 108. In someembodiments, a liquid level indicator 302 may be another component thatmoves based on the liquid level 112, such as a rotating needle thatrotates between empty and full positions based on a position of a float110. Various other or further types of liquid level indicators 302 maybe included in an apparatus 100.

In the depicted embodiment, the apparatus 100 c includes one or moresprinklers 304. A sprinkler 304, in various embodiments, may include anyirrigation device that sprinkles, sprays, and/or drips water on oraround one or more plants. For example, in the depicted embodiment, asprinkler 304 is a drip irrigation head. In another embodiment, asprinkler 304 may be an impact sprinkler, a rotating sprinkler, astationary spray sprinkler, head, a linear device such as a perforatedsprinkler hose or soaker hose, or the like. Sprinklers 304 may beportable devices in some embodiments or may be permanently installeddevices in some other embodiments. Various other or further types ofsprinkler 304 may be included in an apparatus 100.

In the depicted embodiment, the return line 212 is coupled to the outputline 114 after the location 116 outside the container 106 (e.g., thelocation 116 to which fluid from the valve 108 is delivered).Accordingly, fluid not used at the location 116 is returned to thecontainer 106 by the return line 212. In certain embodiments, using abranch connector 214 to divert fluid into the return line 212 before thelocation 116 may provide a short return line 212 if the branch connector214 is disposed close to the container 106. In the depicted embodiment,using a return line 212 to divert fluid that is not used at the location116 back to the container 106 may involve a longer return line 212, butmay avoid pressure drops at the location 116 that might occur if fluidis diverted into the return line 212 before the location 116.

Additionally, although one sprinkler 304 is depicted in FIG. 3 ,multiple sprinklers 304 may be coupled to the output line 114, resultingin decreased pressure at the later sprinklers 304. Similarly, if theapparatus 100 is used to deliver fluid to a location 116 without usingsprinklers, an output line 114 may include a single outlet deliveringliquid to the location 116, or multiple outlets delivering fluid to thelocation 116. If a user adds more sprinklers 304 or outlets to theapparatus 100 c of FIG. 3 , with the return line 212 looping back to thecontainer 106 after the location 116, the pressure will decrease at thelast sprinkler 304 or outlet, and in the return line 212, thusdecreasing the fill rate for the container 106, and thereby increasingthe run time for the apparatus 100 c. Thus, an apparatus 100 c with areturn line 212 coupled to the output line 114 after the location 116may provide a short run time if fluid consumption at the location 116 islow (e.g., if there are few sprinklers 304, or if a flow rate at thelocation 116 is otherwise configured to be small), and may provide alonger run time if fluid consumption at the location 116 is high (e.g.,if there are more sprinklers 304, or if a flow rate at the location 116is otherwise configured to be large).

Additionally, in certain embodiments, the apparatus 100 c is configuredto be disposed in the ground 218 (e.g., either directly or in a sleeve208). In the depicted embodiment, a permeable material 306, 308 isconfigured to allow liquid to pass between the container 106 and theground 218. Liquid passing between the container 106 and the ground 218may include liquid exiting the container 106 into the ground 218, and/orliquid entering the container 106 from the ground 218, As describedabove, an outlet 102 may include a drain opening. In a furtherembodiment, a drain opening may include the permeable material 306, 308.

A permeable material 306, 308, in various embodiments, may be asubstance that allows water or other liquids to pass through thepermeable material 306, 308, and that blocks solids (or solids above acertain size) from passing through the permeable material 306, 308. Invarious embodiments, a permeable material 306, 308 may include a mesh, amembrane, a wicking material, or the like. A mesh, as described above,may include small holes allowing liquid to pass while excluding largerparticles such as dirt, debris, insects, or the like. A membrane,similarly, may be a porous substance allowing liquid to pass whileexcluding larger particles from passing through pores in the substance.A wicking material may include a material through which liquid may moveby capillary action.

In the depicted embodiment, the container 106 includes a permeablematerial 306 covering a drain opening, and the sleeve 208 includes apermeable material 308 covering a corresponding opening. Thus, liquidmay exit the container 106 into the ground 218 through the permeablematerials 306, 308. In certain embodiments that omit a sleeve 208, apermeable material 306 may allow water and/or another liquid to exit thecontainer 106 directly into the ground. Additionally, in certainembodiments, one or more permeable materials 306, 308 may permitgroundwater and/or another liquid to enter the container 106. Althoughthe permeable material 306, 308 is depicted as a covering for the drainopening in FIG. 3 , a permeable material 306, 308 in another embodimentmay extend into the container 106 and/or into the ground 218. Forexample, a container 106 without a sleeve 208 may be buried in theground, and a permeable material 306 may be a wicking material thatextends into the container 106 and into the ground 218 to facilitate aliquid exiting the container 106 into the ground 218. As furtherexamples, a permeable material that extends into the container 106 andinto the ground 218 may be threaded through a hole in a sleeve 208 whenthe container 108 is disposed in the sleeve 208 or may be formed in twoparts as a permeable material 308 extending from the sleeve 208 into theground 218, in fluid communication with a permeable material 306extending from the drain opening into the container.

In certain embodiments, allowing liquid to exit the container 106 intothe ground 218, or allowing groundwater and/or another liquid to enterthe container 106, may provide a run time that depends on groundmoisture for the apparatus 100. For example, if the ground 218 is dry,liquid may exit the container 106 quickly, thus turning on the valve 108more often and/or providing longer run times as the container 106 fillsless quickly. If the ground 218 is less dry, liquid may exit thecontainer 106 slowly, thus turning on the valve 108 less often and/orfor shorter run times. If the ground 218 is saturated or very wet,groundwater entering the container 106 may prevent the valve 108 fromturning on. Accordingly, if an apparatus 100 c is used for irrigation,providing a permeable material 306, 308 so that liquid can exit or enterthe container 106 to or from the ground 218 may provide more irrigationwhen the ground 218 is dry and less irrigation when the ground 218 iswet.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, an apparatus 100 c with a permeablematerial 306, 308 that allows liquid to exit the container 106 into theground 218 may be buried with the container 106 fully in the ground 218.Such an apparatus may have a closed top, may allow a liquid to enter orexit the container 106 via an outlet 102 in the form of a drain openingwith a permeable material 306, 308 (rather than by evaporation), and mayomit a liquid level indicator 302, or may be buried with the container106 under the ground and a liquid level indicator 302 extending abovethe ground. Burying a container 106 fully, rather than partially, in theground may, in certain embodiments, protect the apparatus 100 from beingdamaged by surface-level items, direct sunlight, or the like.

FIG. 4 depicts another embodiment of an apparatus 100 d for fluid flowcontrol. In the depicted embodiment, the apparatus 100 d issubstantially similar to the apparatuses 100 a-c described above withreference to FIGS. 1-3 , including a container 106, a valve 108 and anoutput line 114, substantially as described above. In the depictedembodiment, the apparatus 100 d includes a valve latch 402.

A valve latch 402, in various embodiments, may be any device configuredto delay or temporarily prevent the valve 108 from opening. In certainembodiments, a liquid level 112 in the container 106 may drop to a pointat which the valve 108 turns the fluid flow to the location 116 on, butat a time when fluid delivery may be undesirable or inefficient. Forexample, if an apparatus 100 is used for watering, the liquid level 112may fall due to evaporation in the afternoon, but it may not beefficient to deliver water to the location 116 while high-evaporationconditions exist. In further embodiments, it may be more efficient todelay watering (or other fluid delivery) for some amount of time. For,example, it may be more efficient to delay watering until evening. Thus,in various embodiments, a valve latch 402 may delay the valve 108 fromopening.

In one embodiment, a valve latch 402 may be manually operated by a user.For example, a user may move a valve latch 402 to a first position toprevent the valve 108 from opening and may subsequently move the valvelatch 402 to a second position to allow the valve 108 to open. In someembodiments, a valve latch 402 may be electrically or mechanicallyoperated. For example, a valve latch 402 may include an electrical(e.g., line-powered or battery-operated) or mechanical timer thatpermits the valve 108 to open after a preset or user-defined timeperiod. In certain embodiments, a valve latch 402 may be heat activated.

A heat activated valve latch 402, in various embodiments, may be anydevice that is activated by heat (e.g., in response to a temperatureexceeding a threshold), to prevent the valve 108 from opening. In thedepicted embodiment, the float 110 includes a notch, and the heatactivated valve latch 402 includes a bimetallic strip that expands inresponse to heat to engage the notch, thus preventing the float 110 fromfalling, and the valve 108 from turning on when the heat activated valvelatch 402 is activated, even if the liquid level 112 in the container106 falls. In another embodiment, a heat activated valve latch 402 mayinclude an electronic temperature sensor (e.g., a thermocouple) and anelectrical actuator, a wax actuator that expands or contracts based onheat, or any other substance or components capable of responding to heatto expand, contract, or otherwise prevent a valve 108 from opening.Similarly, although the heat activated valve latch 402 in the depictedembodiment engages a notch in a float 110, a heat activated valve latch402 in another embodiment may engage another portion of a valve 108(e.g., if the valve 108 is pressure actuated rather than floatactuated).

In certain embodiments, where an apparatus 100 is used for watering, foroutdoor tank filling or for other purposes where water use may be moreeffective at low temperatures, water in the container 106 may evaporatewhen the temperature is high, causing the liquid level 112 to drop to apoint at which the valve 108 would normally turn on. However, the heatactivated valve latch 402 may also activate in response to the hightemperature, preventing the valve 108 from turning on. When thetemperature falls below the activation threshold, the heat activatedvalve latch 402 may de-activate or disengage, allowing the valve 108 toturn on. Thus, an apparatus 100 including a heat activated valve latch402 may delay the fluid flow controlled by the valve 108 until atemperature has fallen below a threshold. For example, an apparatus 100d used for watering may provide water to sprinklers 304 during a coolevening, when the heat activated valve latch 402 has disengaged, inresponse to liquid evaporating from the container 106 during a hotafternoon. Delayed watering (or other fluid delivery) when a temperatureis below a threshold may, in certain embodiments, be more efficient thanimmediate watering (or other fluid delivery) when a temperature is abovea threshold.

FIGS. 5 and 6 depict further embodiments of an apparatus 100 e, 100 f(respectively), for fluid flow control. In the depicted embodiment, theapparatus 100 is substantially similar to the apparatuses 100a-ddescribed above with reference to FIGS. 1-4 , including a container 106,a valve 108, an output line 114, and a return line 212 substantially asdescribed above. In the depicted embodiment, the container 106 includesa primary tank and a secondary tank 502, 602. The primary tank in FIGS.5 and 6 , is where the valve 108 is disposed, and the liquid level 112is the level in the primary tank.

The secondary tank 502, 602, in the depicted embodiment, is in fluidcommunication with the primary tank. In certain embodiments, thesecondary tank 502, 602 receives the portion of the fluid flow that isdiverted from the output line 114, via the return line 212 (e.g., via abranch connector 214 as in FIG. 2 or a looped return line 212 as in FIG.3 ). In the depicted embodiment, the primary tank and the secondary tank502, 602 are open topped. In another embodiment, the primary tank and/orthe secondary tank 502/602 may be covered on top by a mesh (e.g., themesh 202 of FIG. 2 ) to exclude dirt, debris, insects, or the like, ormay be closed on top (e.g., if the outlet 106 allows water to leave thecontainer 106 other than by evaporation).

In a further embodiment, the secondary tank 502, 602 includes a drainport 504, 604. The drain port 504, 604, may be an opening, valve, or thelike, that allows liquid to drain from the secondary tank 502, 602. Forexample, in FIG. 5 , the drain port 504 is a user-adjustable drainvalve, similar to the drain valve 206 described above with reference toFIG. 2 . In FIG. 6 , the drain port 604 is a small opening configured toallow liquid to drip out of the secondary tank 602, which may include apermeable material similar to the permeable material 306 described abovewith reference to FIG. 3 . In various embodiments, the primary tank, thesecondary tank 502, 602, or both tanks may include a drain port 504,604.

In various embodiments, a valve 108 may be configured with variousamounts of travel or throw between an on position and an off position.For example, a valve 108 may turn on when the liquid level 112 fallsbelow a first threshold level and may turn off when the liquid level 112rises to a second threshold level, which may be one inch above the firstthreshold level, two inches above the first threshold level, or thelike. Space in the container 106 below the lowest level to which thefloat 110 travels (or otherwise below both the threshold levels forturning the valve 108 on and off) may not affect the valve 108 turningon or off. In certain embodiments, commercially available valves 108 mayhave a fixed amount of travel or throw between on and off positions.Thus, increasing or decreasing the run time for an apparatus 100 withsuch a valve 108 may involve increasing or decreasing the width of thecontainer 106 so that the liquid level 112 rises more slowly or morequickly, which may also affect the off time for an apparatus 100 (e.g.,the time from when the valve 108 turns off to when it turns on again).Alternatively, increasing or decreasing the run time for an apparatus100 may involve adjusting the fill rate of the container 106 via areturn flow control device 210 along the return line 212.

Accordingly, in certain embodiments, a secondary tank 502, 602 maydetermine the run time for the apparatus 100 independently of the offtime for the apparatus 100. When the valve 108 is off, liquid may drainthrough the drain port 504, 604, so that the secondary tank 502, 602 isempty (e.g., if the ground 218 is dry). When the valve 108 is on, liquidmay enter the secondary tank 502, 602 from the return line 212 and maysimultaneously exit the secondary tank 502, 602 via the drain port 504,604. The drain port 504, 604, may be configured with a drain rate lessthan the flow rate in the return line 212, so that the secondary tank502, 602 fills slowly (compared to a similar tank without a drain port504, 604).

When the secondary tank 502, 602 fills to the level of a spillway 506,liquid in the secondary tank 502, 602 may enter the primary tank via thespillway 506. Thus, in certain embodiments, the secondary tank 502, 602increases run time for the apparatus 100, so that the run time includesthe time to initially fill the secondary tank 502, 602. Additionally, insome embodiments, the fill rate for the primary tank may be decreasedbased on the drain rate through the drain port 504, 604. In certainembodiments, the increased run time based on the secondary tank 502,602, is independent of the off time, which is based on the liquid level112 falling in the primary tank. Additionally, if the ground 218 is wetor saturated, the secondary tank 502, 602 may be incompletely drained(or may be full of groundwater) when the valve 108 turns on, thusdecreasing run time in already wet conditions.

In FIG. 5 , the secondary tank 502 is disposed to the side of theprimary tank. In certain embodiments, a secondary tank 502 to the sideof the primary tank may be convenient to maintain. For example, in aportable, above-ground apparatus 100, the drain port 504 for thesecondary tank 502 may be easily adjustable by a user.

In FIG. 6 , the secondary tank 602 is disposed surrounding the primarytank. As described above, in a container 106 without a secondary tank602, the volume of the container 106 below the threshold for turning thevalve 108 on may not affect the run time of the apparatus 100, while thewidth of the container 106 may affect both the run time and the offtime. A secondary tank 602 may extend below the primary tank, so thatthe volume underneath the primary tank can be used to provide anextended run time independent of the off time. By contrast, widening thecontainer 106 to extend the run time may also extend the off time, andmay increase the footprint of the apparatus 100.

Thus, in certain embodiments, an apparatus 100 with a secondary tank 602surrounding the primary tank may be significantly narrower than anapparatus 100 that provides a comparable run time without a secondarytank 602, for a valve 108 with the same travel or throw between on andoff positions. For example, in some embodiments, a single-containerapparatus 100 may be eighteen inches in diameter to provide a desiredrun time, but a similar apparatus 100 with a secondary tank 602 mayprovide the same run-time with a taller secondary tank 602 and anoverall diameter of six inches. A narrower apparatus 100 using asecondary tank 602 may be unobtrusive, or conveniently concealed amonglandscaping.

FIG. 7 depicts one embodiment of a system 700 for fluid flow control.The system 700, in certain embodiments, may include a container 106, avalve 108 and an output line 114, substantially as described above withregard to the apparatus 100. Additionally, in the depicted embodiment,the system 700 includes a portable receptacle 704.

In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 described above may be installedin the ground 218 for long-term fluid flow control. In certainembodiments, a portable, above-ground system 700 may be used fortemporary fluid flow control. For example, a sprinkler system for abuilding may include electronic valve controls, but the electronic valvecontrols may not be operable if an electric permit has not yet beengranted for the building. Accordingly, in some embodiments, a portablesystem 700 may be used to irrigate landscaping before electricity isavailable, and without burdensome manual control to adjust sprinkler onand off times to different circumstances or weather conditions.

A portable receptacle 704 in various embodiments, may be a box, acanister, a bucket, or the like, for carrying the container 106 andvalve 108. In certain embodiments, the container 106 and the valve 108may be disposed in the portable receptacle 704. The output line 114, infurther embodiments, may be coupled to the valve 108 in the portablereceptacle 704, and may convey fluid flow from the valve 108 to alocation 116 outside the container 106, which may also be outside theportable receptacle 704. In further embodiments, a portable receptacle704 may include carry handles 706, and/or legs 714 allowing the system700 to be set up on landscaping without crushing an area of a lawn, orother plants.

In certain embodiments, a system 700 may include a manual override, asdescribed above. In the depicted embodiment, the manual overrideincludes a drain 710, operable to drain liquid from the container 106.Liquid exiting the drain 710 is conveyed out of the portable receptacle704 by a drain pipe 712. In another embodiment, liquid may drain fromthe container 106 directly underneath portable receptacle 704. In thedepicted embodiment, the drain 710 is operable by a user via a button orplunger 702 and a linkage 708 coupling the button or plunger 702 to thedrain 710. In another embodiment, a drain 710 may be operable by a userreaching into the portable receptacle 704. without a linkage 708 for abutton or plunger 702 exterior to the portable receptacle 704.

FIG. 8 depicts one embodiment of a user-adjustable aperture 800. Auser-adjustable aperture 800, in certain embodiments, may be used withan apparatus 100 or system 700 as described above. In certainembodiments, an outlet 102 allowing liquid to exit a container 106 mayallow the liquid to exit via evaporation and may include a mesh 202 asdescribed above with regard to FIG. 2 , and/or a user-adjustableaperture 800.

A user-adjustable aperture 800, in various embodiments, may be anaperture or opening for which the size is adjustable by a user to adjustan evaporation rate through the outlet 102. In the depicted embodiment,the user-adjustable aperture 800 includes a lower plate 804 withopenings, through which the mesh 202 is seen. In another embodiment, auser-adjustable aperture 800 may be used without mesh 202.

In the depicted embodiment, the user-adjustable aperture 800 furtherincludes an upper plate 802 with openings corresponding to openings inthe lower plate 804. The upper plate 802 is rotatably connected to thelower plate 804 at a central pivot point. A user may use tabs 806,protrusions, or handles to rotate the upper plate 802 relative to thelower plate 804. (Directions of rotation are indicated by adouble-headed arrow). In a fully open position, the openings in theupper plate 802 are fully aligned with openings in the lower plate 804,allowing liquid to evaporate through the openings. In a fully closedposition, the openings in the upper plate 802 are aligned with non-openportions of the lower plate 804, and liquid is blocked from evaporatingthrough the user-adjustable aperture 800. In a partially open position,the openings in the upper plate 802 are partially aligned with non-openportions of the lower plate 804, which may permit evaporation, but at alower rate than when the user-adjustable aperture 800 is in a fully openposition.

A user may, in certain embodiments, rotate the upper plate 802 to aposition at or between the fully open and fully closed positions, tocontrol the effective size of the outlet 102, thereby controlling therate at which liquid evaporates from the container 106. Controlling therate at which liquid evaporates from the container 106, may in turn,control controlling the off time for the valve 108.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method900 for fluid flow control. The method 900 begins, and a container 106receives 902 liquid. The container 106 includes an outlet 102. Theoutlet 102 allows 904 the liquid to exit the container 106. A valve 108actuates 906 based on a liquid level 112 in the container 106, tocontrol a fluid flow (e.g., opening at a first liquid level, closing ata different liquid level, or the like). An output line 114 coupled tothe valve 108 conveys 908 the fluid flow from the valve 108 to alocation 116 outside the container 106, and the method 900 ends. Thelocation 116 outside the container 106 does not receive the liquiddirectly from the outlet 102.

FIG. 10 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating anotherembodiment of a method 1000 for fluid flow control. The method 1000begins, and a container 106 receives 1002 liquid. The container 106includes an outlet 102. The outlet 102 allows 1004 the liquid to exitthe container 106. A valve 108 actuates 1006 based on a liquid level 112in the container 106, to control a fluid flow (e.g., opening at a firstliquid level, closing at a different liquid level, or the like). Anoutput line 114 coupled to the valve 108 conveys 1008 the fluid flowfrom the valve 108 to a location 116 outside the container 106. Thelocation 116 outside the container 106 does not receive the liquiddirectly from the outlet 102. A return line 212 coupled to the outputline 114, a bleed-off outlet 1906 coupled to the valve 108, or the likediverts 1010 a liquid (e.g., a portion of the fluid flow from the outputline 114, a portion of liquid form the piston chamber 1904, or the like)into the container 106, and the method 1000 ends.

FIGS. 11, 12, 13A, and 13B depict further embodiments of an apparatus1100a-d for fluid flow control. A valve 108 controls fluid flow from aninlet 104 to an outlet 114. As described with reference to previousFigures, the valve 180 may be coupled to a float 110 in the container106 underneath, so that the valve 108 controls the fluid flow based onthe liquid level in the container 106. The valve 108 may be a diaphragmvalve 108, where a diaphragm 1902 can move within a chamber 1904. Theinlet 104 and the outlet 114 connect to one side of the chamber 1904, sothat when the diaphragm 1902 is seated against that side, fluid flowfrom the inlet 104 to the outlet 114 is blocked. The other side of thechamber 1904, on the opposite side of the diaphragm 1902, may bepressurized to seat the diaphragm 1902 and block fluid flow, orde-pressurized to unseat the diaphragm 1902 and allow fluid flow. Insome examples of a diaphragm valve 108, pressure to this side of thechamber 1904 is provided from the inlet (e.g., through a small hole inthe diaphragm), and controlled by blocking or opening a port (e.g., aweep hole or port) in the chamber wall.

Thus, when the port is blocked, the chamber pressure equalizes with theinlet pressure, and any flow from the outlet causes a pressure decreaseon the outlet side, so that the pressure difference seats the diaphragm1902 and closes the valve 108. Conversely, when the port is open,chamber pressure dissipates, so that pressure from the inlet sideunseats the diaphragm 1902 and opens the valve 108. In some floatvalves, the float 110 may be coupled to the valve 108 to block orunblock the port depending on the water level, thus turning the valve108 on or off. However, in such an arrangement, water (or whatever fluidis being controlled) comes out the port when the valve 108 is on. Thisflow of water out the port instead of out the outlet 114 may beunproblematic if the float valve 108 is used to refill a container 106such as a livestock watering tank, as any water exiting the port alsofills the container 106. However, in the present embodiment, where thevalve 108 is used to control fluid flow to a location outside thecontainer 106, fluid flow out the port instead of out the outlet 114 maybe wasteful or may refill the container 106 undesirably quickly.

Additionally, some float valves 108 may turn on and off at a singlewater level, which is the water level where the float 110 blocks orunblocks the hole. Such float valves 108 begin to fill a container 106as soon as the fluid level drops below a preset fill level. In variousapplications, it may be desirable for a valve 108 to stay closed whilethe water level drops to a significantly lower level than the filllevel, before opening to refill the container 106 back up to the filllevel. As one example, to control fluid flow to sprinklers, dripirrigation heads, or the like, where the water level in the container106 is affected by rainfall, evaporation, soil moisture, or the like, itmay be desirable for the valve 108 to open when the liquid level in thecontainer 106 is at a first level (e.g., when the water level in thecontainer is low due to evaporation or wicking), and remain open untilthe container 106 has refilled to a different, higher liquid level.Using a valve 108 that opens and closes at a single level may result inundesirably rapid cycling between the on and off positions. A floatvalve 108 that opens at a first, lower liquid level and closes at adifferent, higher liquid level may also be useful in many other fieldsoutside irrigation.

The depicted embodiments solve these problems as described below. Incertain embodiments, the valve 108 works, substantially similarly asdescribed above on the same principle of allowing a liquid to exit thecontainer 106, until the float 108 drops, but may utilize magnets oranother mechanism to open and close the valve 108 based on the liquidlevel. In some embodiments, a wicking material 306 and/or anotherpermeable material 306 may be used as a method of liquid movement in andout of the container 106. As described above, in some embodiments, thevalve 108 is actuated when enough liquid exits the container 106 (e.g.,into the surrounding soil or the like). The use of magnets 1104 a-d toopen and close the valve 108 allows the valve 108 to be isolated fromthe container 106 so that water and/or another liquid flowing out thevalve 108 port does not refill the container 106. Additionally, thefloat 110 and the magnets 1104 a-d may be configured so that the valve108 does not immediately open when the liquid falls from its highestlevel, thus allowing a preset amount of liquid out before the valve 108opens.

A piston and/or plunger 1102 opens or closes the port in the diaphragm1902 valve 108, thus controlling the backpressure that opens or closesthe main diaphragm 1902. The piston 1102, in the depicted embodiment,has one or more magnets 1104 a in the base (e.g., coupled to the piston1102) which are repelled and forced upward when the magnet 1104 bcoupled to a rod 1106 (e.g., in or toward a center of a disc coupled tothe rod 1106, or the like) is raised upward within the container 106.The disc and/or magnet 1104 b is coupled to the float 110 as furtherdescribed below (e.g., slidably coupled to the rod 1106 with a stop1108, or the like). Thus, when the piston 1102 is raised, the valve 108port and the diaphragm 1902 valve 108 are closed. When the disc and/ormagnet 1104 b falls, the piston 1102 falls, opening the valve 108 portand the valve 108. Although a piston 1102 is disclosed herein forcontrolling a diaphragm 1902 valve 108, an apparatus in anotherembodiment may include another type of valve 108 coupled to a piston1102 so that the valve 108 opens or closes according to the position ofthe piston 1102. The piston 1102, in the depicted embodiment, isisolated to a small chamber 1904, so that a liquid flowing out the portin the valve 104 is not introduced into the main holding container 106.When the piston 1102 is in the down position (e.g., so that the valve isopen) liquid from the port of the valve 108 flows into the chamber 1904surrounding it and out a dedicated port and line 1202. This line 1202connects to the main outflow line 114, so that a liquid flowing out theport in the valve 108 goes to a location such as a sprinkler or dripirrigation head without being wasted, instead of into the container 106.

The line 1202 that drains the isolated chamber 1904 or piston 1102compartment 1904 to the outlet line 114 does not apply the liquid backinto the main holding container 106, but allows the flow to exit thepiston compartment 1904 or other chamber 1904 so that opening the valve108 port can effectively depressurize one side of the diaphragm 1902 andturn the valve 108 on. Additionally, this line 1202 may be used to addan alternative liquid into the main feedline 114 while isolating it fromthe container 106 liquid. For example, a small amount of concentratedfertilizer could be added into the plunger relief line 1202 uponactivation of the valve 108, or the like.

The disc and/or magnet 1104 b, above the float 110, in the depictedembodiments, repels a corresponding magnet 1104 a coupled to the piston1102 to close the valve 108. Magnets 1104 c in the side of the discattract to magnets 1104 d, in the depicted embodiment, in a surroundingtube. The force exerted by these magnets 1104 c, 1104 d to keep the discin place may be stronger than the force exerted by the repelling magnets1104 a, 1104 b in the center and in the base of the piston 1102. So,until the magnetic hold between the disc and the surrounding tube isbroken, the piston 1102 is forced to remain upward, closing off thevalve 108. One or more floats 110 are coupled to the disc by a rod 1106with a stop 1108 at the bottom. The floats 110 are slidably coupled tothe rod 1106, so that as the liquid level falls, the floats 110 slidedown the rod 1106 without moving the magnet 1104 b, until reaching thestop 1106 at the bottom. Once the floats 110 reach the stop 1106, theweight of the floats 110 is transferred to the magnet 1104 b by the rod1106, thus breaking the magnetic hold between the disc and thesurrounding tube, so that the magnet 1104 b is lowered, the piston 1102falls, and the valve 108 opens. The floats 110 may include or be coupledto weights 1110 to provide sufficient downward force. In otherembodiments, instead of or in addition to weights 1110, a mechanicallever may counterbalance and/or otherwise mechanically advantage a float110 (e.g., mechanically lifting the float 110 so that a smaller float110 may be used, or the like). Some variations may include a mechanicallatch to hold the disk in place until the floats 110 fall to the levelof the stop 1108, rather than magnets 1104 c-d to hold the magnet 1104 bin place relative to the surrounding tube, or the like.

Thus, holding the valve 108 magnetically closed while the floats 110slide along the rod 1106 to the stop 1108 allows for a set amount ofliquid to flow out of the container 106 prior to the valve 108activating. Conversely, as the container 106 refills, the disc and/ormagnet 1104 b may raise gradually and/or the floats 110 may slide backup the rod 1106, until the disc and/or magnet 1104 b reaches a levelwhere the magnets 1104 c-d once again hold the disc and/or magnet 1104 bin place so that the piston 1102 is raised to close the valve 108. Thedifference in liquid levels between the low level that opens the valve108 and the higher level that closes the valve 108 may be adjusted, insome embodiments, by adjusting the stop 1108 up or down on the rod 1106to control the amount of travel for the floats 110. As seen in FIG. 11 ,in certain embodiments, a check valve in the outlet line 114 may beprovided to prevent the built-up pressure in a connected dripline, orthe like, from feeding back into the container 106 once the flow ofliquid has stopped.

In one embodiment, an opening or openings in the top and/or lid 802 ofthe container 106 is covered by opaque foam or spongy material 202. Thismaterial 202 allows liquid to flow into and/or out of the top of thecontainer 106, while keeping sunlight out, to prevent algae growth thatmight otherwise occur in liquid exposed to the sun. Under this foam 202,material ports or openings in the top and/or lid 802 allow water oranother liquid to easily enter and/or exit the container 106, so thatthe liquid level in the container 106 is affected by factors such asevaporation and/or rainfall. The foam 202 or other material 202 alsokeeps unwanted materials out of the container 106.

A wicking material 306, extending to the right in FIG. 12 , extends froman interior of the container 106 to an exterior (e.g., into the soil,the surrounding environment, or the like). This wicking material 306allows a liquid to exit the container 106 at a higher rate when the soilis dry than when the soil is wet, so that the valve 108 self-adjusts asthe soil conditions change. The liquid in the holding container 106turns the valve 108 on at one level and off at another, different levelas described above, thus triggering liquid flow when enough liquid hasexited the container 106 via evaporation and/or the wicking material306. Soil evaporation rates may vary throughout the year, and manuallyor electronically controlled sprinkler systems are seldom adjustedproperly, so that over and underwatering occur. Conversely, this valve108 may be directly controlled by soil moisture, evaporation, and/orrainfall. Dry soil draws moisture through the wicking material 306 likea straw, while damp soil slows the draw. As the soil becomes moresaturated, water may move through the wicking material 306 in the otherdirection, into the container 106. Thus, in some embodiments, the valve108 may activate more quickly in dry soil, activate less quickly in dampsoil, and not activate at all in saturated soil (e.g., until the soilmoisture has been reduced, or the like). By using such a valve 108 tocontrol irrigation water flow based on a liquid level that is affectedby evaporation, rainfall, and/or soil moisture, a user can avoidthinking about detailed irrigation settings (as with an electronicsystem) or whether those settings match the soil conditions.

In some embodiments, wicking material 306 in the container may becoupled to the opaque foam or spongy material 202 that covers the topand/or lid 802 of the container 106, so that a liquid from the containertravels up the wick 306 and into the foam 202 and evaporates from there.For example, the wick material 306 may be connected to the underside ofthe foam 202 at the top and/or lid 802 of the container 106. Thisconfiguration may allow the sponge 202 to stay saturated, and to drywith the outdoor conditions. As the sponge 202 dries, water or anotherliquid is lifted out of the container 106 through the wick material 306,until enough has left the container to cause the float 110 to drop tothe desired level and the valve 108 opens (e.g., a watering cyclebegins). The sponge 202 at the top 802 of the container 106 may alsoallow water to pass through it into the container 106 when raining, orin other situations where water is introduced. The outside water such asrain can pass through the sponge 202 and then through ports in thecontainer 106 and/or down the wicking material 306 into the container106. With wicking material 306 coupled to the sponge or foam material202 instead of or in addition to extending into the soil, the valve 108and the container 106 may be used underground with soil covering thesponge or foam 202, so that the wicking material 306 and the foam 202contact the soil and allow the soil to draw water from the container 106through the wicking material 306 and the sponge 202. Underground use ofthe valve 108 may also allow water to filter through the soil and sponge202 before entering the container 106. Alternatively, the valve 108 maybe used above ground so that the container 106 empties by a combinationof wicking and evaporation but is not directly in contact and/orcommunication with moisture in the soil, or the like.

The valve 108 turns off the liquid flow as the container 106 refills. Acontainer fill line 1204, in some embodiments, branches off from theoutlet line 114 to refill the container 106. In further embodiments, ableed-off outlet 1906 refills the container directly from the valve 108instead of or in addition to a container fill line 1204 from the outletline 114. An adjustment knob may allow the end user to adjust the flowrate back into the main holding container 106 (e.g., adjusting a flowrate of a container fill line 1204 and/or a bleed-off outlet 1906). Byadjusting the refill rate up to a fast flow or down to a slow drip, thevalve can run (e.g., provide a liquid output cycle) for minutes, hours,days, and/or months respectively.

Although the use of the valve 108 has been described above primarily forirrigation, it can similarly be used for other applications, such as forkeeping foundations adequately damp to reduce foundation shifting. Forexample, containers 106 and valves 108 may be placed at each corner of aslab foundation to monitor and apply water as needed. Variousembodiments of the valve 108 may be used to control fluid flow in otherapplications or industries, including in soil, out of soil, with wickingmaterial, with the fluid leaving the container 106 in another way, orthe like. An apparatus for controlling fluid flow based on a liquidlevel in a container 106 may monitor a liquid level in a container 106,to then control flow of the same liquid, and/or another fluid. Theliquid level in the container 106 may be affected by evaporation,wicking, or the like, or may enter or exit the container in another way.The flow of fluid controlled by the valve 108 may be delivered to alocation outside the container 106 where the liquid level is beingmonitored.

Such an apparatus may be used in various industrial situations such aswithin the oil industry. For example, in a situation where a fluid suchas oil is circulated through a machine, if that oil was routed to thiscontainer 106, the container 106 may remain full and the valve 108 mayremain closed, however if the oil flow was interrupted (oil pump fails)the container 106 may begin to lose liquid causing the float 110 to dropwhich in turn may supply the same liquid or an alternative fluid to keylocations. As further examples, in some applications where if aparticular liquid flow is interrupted it could create a hazardoussituation, this apparatus could be used to release a fluid which mightneutralize a hazard (e.g., releasing water and/or another fireextinguishing agent in response to a fire causing evaporation of aliquid from the container 106, the container 106 melting and/ordeteriorating to release a liquid, or the like).

Where an apparatus monitors the level of a liquid in a container 106 butdirects fluid flow to a location outside the container 106, twocompletely different liquids/fluids can be used inside and outside thecontainer 106 in some embodiments. For example, in one situation, thefluid flow may be of a toxic fluid, but the liquid monitored in thecontainer 106 may be water.

In some embodiments, a wick 306 pulling liquid out of the container 106,or even a supply line 1204 back into the container 106 may be omitted.For example, as a safety device, a valve 108 may open if the liquidlevel drops, to release a fluid, and not turn off until the valve 108 ismanually turned off. Although some examples are disclosed herein, anapparatus for fluid control may be useful in many other or furtherindustries or applications.

Although the lines 1204, 1906 to refill the container 106 or to relievepressure in the piston 1102 compartment 1904 are routed outside the mainholding container 106 in the depicted embodiments, these lines may berouted through or inside the holding container 106 (e.g., while stillisolated from the liquid level inside the container 106) in anotherembodiment. Further variations of the depicted design may include aliquid level indicator. Some variations may include a way to limit therate at which liquid exits the container 106, such as an adjustablechoke point, a way to adjust the exposed surface area of the wick 202,306 where it contacts the soil, variations of wick 306 diameters ormaterials, or the like.

In FIGS. 13A and 13B, the piston 1102 is horizontally oriented. It maystill be actuated with one or more magnets 1104 a-d repelling the piston1102 to close the small valve 108 port, creating backpressure whichcloses the main diaphragm 1902. With the piston 1102 orientedhorizontally, the magnet 1104 b to repel the magnet 1104 a coupled tothe piston 1102 and close the valve 108 can be slid into position,requiring less upward force from the floats 110 than in some of thepreviously discussed embodiments.

The floats 110 are coupled to a vertical rod 1106, which may extend outof the container 106. Magnets 1104 b may be disposed in and/or otherwisecoupled to this rod 1106. For example, one magnet 1104 b may be coupledto the rod 1106, two magnets 1104 b may be coupled to the rod, or more.When the liquid level is high, in some embodiments, a lower magnet 1104b in the rod 1106 repels a magnet 1104 a in the piston 1102 to keep thevalve 108 closed. An upper magnet 1104 b in the rod 1106 is attracted toa magnet 1104 d above the piston 1102, keeping the rod 1106 from falling(comparable to the magnets 1104 d at the side of the disc in thepreviously discussed embodiment). When the floats 110 reach the stop1108 at the bottom of the rod 1106, their weight breaks this attraction,causing the rod 1106 to fall, so that the upper magnet 1104 b in the rod1106 attracts the magnet 1104 a in the piston 1102, thus opening thevalve 108 port to turn the valve 108 on.

In some embodiments, the upper magnet 1104 b in the rod 1106 and thecorresponding magnet 1104 d above the piston 1102 may be omitted, sothat one magnet 1104 b in the rod 1106 repels the piston 1102 to keepthe valve 108 closed, when the rod 1106 is in the up position, but nomagnet is used to attract the piston 1102 and open the valve 108. Whenthe rod 1106 falls, the pressure from the small valve port may besufficient to move the piston 1102 and open the port as soon as themagnet 1104 b in the rod 1106 that repels the piston 1102 issufficiently far away from the magnet 1104 a in the piston 1102. Insteadof using an upper magnet 1104 d to keep the rod 1106 from falling untilthe liquid level falls sufficiently, the rod 1106 may be held in placein another way. For example, the magnet 1104 b in the rod 1106 thatrepels the piston 1102 may be positioned so that when the rod 1106 is inthe “up” position, the center of the magnet 1104 b in the rod 1106 isabove the center of the magnet 1104 a in the piston 1102. In thisconfiguration, the repulsive force from the magnets 1104 a, b preventsthe rod 1106 from falling until this force is overcome by the weight ofthe floats 110, when they reach the stop 1108 at the bottom of the rod1106. Alternatively, or in addition, with sufficiently strong magnets1104 a, b, the force of the magnets 1104 a,b may bias the rod 1106against its housing so that friction prevents the rod 1106 from fallinguntil the floats 110 reach the stop 1108 at the bottom of the rod 1106.

FIGS. 13A and 13B depict low and high liquid levels in the container106, for turning the valve 108 on and off in this embodiment. In FIG.13A, the liquid level is low enough for the floats 110 to have moveddown along the rod 1106 and reached the stop 1108 at the bottom, so thatthe weight of the floats 110 pulls the rod 1106 down and the magnets1104 a, b open the valve 108. As the container 106 refills, the floats110 slide up along the rod 1106 before the rod 1106 moves, and the rod1106 rises until a magnet 1104 b coupled to the rod 1106 repels acorresponding magnet 1104 a coupled to the piston 1102 to close thevalve 108. In embodiments where the rod 1106 comprises multiple magnets1104 b-c (e.g., so an upper rod magnet 1104 c is attracted to acorresponding magnet 1104 d disposed somewhere above the piston 1102, orthe like) and the upper rod magnet 1104 c may initially attract themagnet 1104 a coupled to the piston 1102 until the rising rod 1106 ispushed higher by the float 110 and the attractive force between theupper rod magnet 1104 c and the piston magnet 1104 a is broken and alower rod magnet 1104 b repels the piston magnet 1104 a to close thevalve 108. in either embodiment, the valve 108 remains open until therod 1106 is raised to the position shown in FIG. 13B, where the piston1102 is once again repelled by the magnet 1104 b in the rod 1106 (e.g.,a lower magnet 1104 b, a single magnet 1104 b, or the like).

In this embodiment, flow through the wicking material 306 may also beadjusted to increase or decrease the length of time that the valve 108remains closed for. In some embodiments, the wicking material 306 may berouted past a knob with an eccentric lobe. With the knob in oneposition, a liquid flows freely though the wicking material 306. Withthe knob in another position, the lobe pinches the wick 306 to limitflow. Limiting flow through the wicking material 306 may be useful tochange how rapidly the valve 108 responds to soil dryness. For example,limiting the flow through the wick 306 may cause the valve 108 to waitlonger before turning on.

In various embodiments, flow through the wicking material 306 may beadjusted in various other or further ways. For example, to step thediameter of the external wick 306 up or down, the internal containerwick 306 may be of a predetermined diameter with a connection point onthe outside of the container 106 where the end user could attach alarger or small diameter wick to speed or restrict the flow out of thecontainer 106 into the soil. As another example of how flow through thewicking material 306 may be adjusted, the exposure of the wickingmaterial 306 to the soil may be adjusted. For example, wicking material306 may be extended out from or retracted into the container 106, or anouter structure can be attached or removed to limit or expand the lineararea which is exposed to the soil. The more area that is exposed thefaster the evacuation rate will be of a liquid from the container 106.

FIGS. 14-15 depict one embodiment of an apparatus 1400 a-b for fluidflow control comprising a delay latch 1402. In the depicted embodiments,the latch 1402 includes a bimetallic strip 1402 that engages a notch inthe rod 1106. Thermal expansion of the strip 1402 may be used to preventthe valve 108 from watering during the day (e.g., the delay latch 1402may mechanically hold the valve 108 closed in response to a temperaturesatisfying a threshold, or the like). To keep the valve 108 fromwatering, a bimetallic spring 1402 is heated by the sun to engage thenotch in the rod 1106 (e.g., at a temperature threshold), thuspreventing the float 110 from dropping, and keeping the valve 108closed. To begin watering after the temperature falls (e.g., below atemperature threshold), the spring 1402 moves to disengage the notch,thus releasing the rod 1106 and float 110, and allowing the valve 108 toopen. Although a bimetallic strip 1402 or spring 1402 is depicted,plastics and other materials that expand with heated can similarly beused to latch the valve 108 closed in high-temperature conditions. Also,although this latch 1402 is described to prevent watering in the heat ofthe day, if the valve 108 is used for other applications, any source orheat (or lack of heat) could be similarly used to prevent the valve fromopening or trigger it to open. While a bimetallic strip 1402 may operatewithout electricity based on temperature, in other embodiments, a delaylatch 1402 may be electrically powered (e.g., a solenoid, a switch, orthe like) and may override or otherwise control a state of the valve 108in response to a selected delay factor satisfying a threshold (e.g., atime of day satisfying a threshold, a temperature satisfying athreshold, a sensed moisture satisfying a threshold, a weather forecastsatisfying a threshold, user input through a mobile application amechanical button or switch or the like satisfying a threshold, or thelike).

Although the delay latch 1402 is described above for irrigation, it maybe similarly useful for industrial applications. In various scenarioswhere temperature is a factor for opening or closing a valve 108, thedelay latch 1402 may hold the fluid flow on or off until a desiredtemperature is achieved, or the like.

FIGS. 16, 17, and 18A-D depict another embodiment of an apparatus1600a-g for fluid flow control. As described above with reference toother embodiments, this design controls fluid flow based on the liquidlevel in a container 106, in a way such that the valve 108 opens at oneliquid level and closes at a different (e.g., higher) liquid level. Asdescribed above, the liquid level in the container 106 may be affectedby factors such as rainfall, evaporation, and soil moisture, and thevalve 108 may control fluid flow from an inlet 104 to an outlet 114, forirrigation or other applications.

In this design, the valve 108 is controlled by a flap 1606 that pivotsin the valve body 108, shown in the closed position with the flap downin FIGS. 18A and 18B, and in the open position with the flap up in FIGS.18C and 18D. In this embodiment, the flap 1606 is magnetic, or includesmagnets. The float 110 is coupled to a yoke that rotates a rotarymagnet, to attract or repel the magnetic flap 1606. With the float 110in the top position, as shown in FIG. 18A, the rotary magnet attractsthe flap 1606 to hold the valve 108 closed. Additionally, backpressurefrom the inlet side of the valve 108 impinges on the flap 1606 to holdit closed. As the float 110 falls, as shown in FIG. 18B, the yokecontinues to rotate the rotary magnet until it is a position to repelthe magnetic flap 1606 within the valve assembly 108. However, themagnetic repelling force is not sufficient to overcome the backpressurefrom the inlet side, and the valve 108 remains closed. However, at thebottom of the stroke, as shown in FIG. 18C, the float 110 activates amomentary valve which temporarily diverts the liquid pressure from theinlet side, allowing the valve flap 1606 to open to turn the valve 108on. As the container 106 refills and the float 110 moves upward (as seenin FIG. 18D), the yoke rotates the magnet into a position to pull thevalve flap 1606 back down, closing the valve 108 again.

FIGS. 19A-D, 20A-E, 21A-B, 22A-B, 23, and 24 depict other embodiments ofan apparatus 1900 a-n for fluid flow control. As described above withreference to other embodiments, this design controls fluid flow based onthe liquid level in a container 106, in a way such that the valve 108opens at one liquid level and closes at a different (e.g., higher)liquid level. As described above, the liquid level in the container 106may be affected by factors such as rainfall, evaporation, and/or soilmoisture, and the valve may control fluid flow from an inlet 104 to anoutlet 114, for irrigation or other applications.

In this design, the valve 108 is enclosed within a valve unit 108, whichmay be sealed, substantially sealed, or the like. The valve unit 108 maybe selectively installable within the container 106 and/or selectivelyremovable from the container 106 (e.g., as a separate unit). Forexample, the valve unit 108 may be removed for winterization,maintenance, service, adjustment, replacement, and/or other purposes. Insome of the depicted embodiments, the valve unit 108 may be removedseparately from the float assembly 110, while the rod 1106 and floatassembly 110 remain in the container 106 or the like (e.g., because thevalve unit 108 and float assembly 110 only interact magnetically and arenot otherwise physically or mechanically connected). In FIG. 21B, thevalve 108 includes a guide shaped to receive the rod 1106 to direct amagnet 1104 b coupled to the rod 1106 to and/or past a magnet 1104 acoupled to the piston 1102, or the like as the float 110 rises and fallswith the liquid level in the container 106, actuating the piston 1102with a magnetic field of the magnet 1104 b (e.g., repelling a magnet1104 a of the piston 1102) opening the valve 108 at a first liquid leveland closing the valve 108 at a different liquid level.

In some embodiments, a rod 1106 (e.g., the depicted vertical rod 1106),with one or more magnets 1104 b disposed therein, substantially asdescribed above, may be external to the valve unit 110. The container106 may comprise one or more guides (e.g., disposed on a sidewall of thecontainer, or the like) configured to position the rod 1106 relative tothe container 106 and/or the valve unit 108, to guide the rod 1106 as itrises and/or falls based on the liquid level in the container 106. Theone or more guides may align the rod 1106 so that when the liquid levelis high, the lower magnet 1104 b in the rod 1106 repels a magnet 1104 ain the piston 1102 to keep the valve 108 closed, the upper magnet 1104 bin the rod 1106 is attracted to a magnet 1104 d above the piston 1102,keeping the rod 1106 from falling, when the float 110 reaches the stop1108 at the bottom of the rod 1106 its weight breaks this attractioncausing the rod 1106 to fall so that the upper magnet 1104 b in the rod1106 attracts the magnet 1104 a in the piston 1102, thus opening thevalve 108 port to turn the valve 108 on, or the like, as describedabove. In other embodiments, the rod 1106 may comprise a single magnet1104 b which repels a single magnet 1104 a coupled to the piston 1102,without any additional magnets 1104 c-d to separately support the rod1106 and/or float 110.

In certain embodiments, when the float 110 is in the upmost position, amagnet 1104 b in the rod 1106 (e.g., an upper and/or top magnet 1104 b,a single magnet 1104 b, or the like) is not directly aligned with (e.g.,is past and/or above) a magnet 1104 a in the piston 1102. For example,when the magnet 1104 b in the rod 1106 is past and/or above the magnet1104 a in the piston 1102, a repelling magnetic force between the magnet1104 b in the rod 1106 and the magnet 1104 a in the piston 1102 may pushthe magnet 1104 b upward and hold the piston 1102 and/or the valve 108in a closed position 1102 (e.g., exerting enough force to hold thepiston 1102 in the closed position) until the liquid level falls enoughfor the weight of the rod 1106 and/or the float 110 to overcome themagnetic force pulling the magnet 1104 b in the rod 1106 below past themagnet 1104 a of the piston 1102 to release the magnet 1104 a in thepiston 1102 from the repelling magnetic force and to open the piston1102 and/or the valve 108.

In some of the depicted embodiments, the rod 1106 comprises upper andlower extensions extending from the rod 1106, with the float 110 movablycoupled to and disposed between (e.g., capable of floating and/orotherwise moving) the upper and lower extensions (e.g., instead of or inaddition to sliding along the rod 1106). A distance between the upperand lower extensions, in some embodiments, may at least partially definethe liquid thresholds at which the valve 108 turns on or off, togetherwith a fill rate for the container 106 affecting an amount of time thatthe valve 108 is on or off between cycles as the liquid level moves thefloat between the extensions, or the like.

The valve unit 108, in some embodiments, includes a set screw 1908,extending from the valve unit 108 toward an interface point of the rod1106 (e.g., a surface, an extension, a wall, a bar, a ledge, or thelike). The set screw 1908 may allow adjustment (e.g., fine tuning) ofthe valve unit 108 and/or the rod 1106, by defining a minimum distancebetween the valve unit 108 and the float 110 (e.g., the interface pointof the rod 1106 coupled to the float 110), defining an upmost positionfor the rod 1106, or the like. In embodiments where the valve unit 108is removable, a user may turn the set screw 1908 (e.g., tighten orloosen) while the valve unit 108 is removed from the container 106(e.g., for ease of adjustment).

In one embodiment, the valve unit 108 includes a bleed-off outlet 1906(e.g., a port, a cone, and/or another shaped outlet) configured to allowa liquid to enter the container 106 from the valve unit 108 at apredefined rate (e.g., to refill the container 106, to act as a timerfor the valve unit 108, or the like). As described above, in certainembodiments, a flow rate for the bleed-off outlet 1906 (e.g., a fillrate for the container 106) may be user adjustable (e.g., using a knob,a clamp, a needle valve assembly, a pinch valve, interchangeablenozzles, and/or another mechanism that sets and/or alters a flow rate ofa liquid). For example, the bleed-off outlet 1906 may comprise one ofmultiple interchangeable nozzles or other inserts, with differentorifice sizes, selected to set and/or adjust a fill rate for thecontainer 106 and/or a timing for the valve 108, which a user mayselectively swap and/or replace to change the timing. In someembodiments, the different nozzles and/or other inserts may be colorcoded, indicating to a user by different colors an orifice size, a timeperiod, or the like associated with the colored nozzle, or the like. Inthis manner, in certain embodiments, an interchangeable and/or otherwiseadjustable bleed-off outlet 1906 may act as a quick-change access pointfor adjusting a fill rate of the container 106 and a correspondingtiming for cycling of the valve 108. In other embodiments, a flow ratefor the bleed-off outlet 1906 may be fixed and/or predefined (e.g.,based on an aperture size of the bleed-off outlet 1906, using a clamp,using a needle valve assembly, using a pinch valve, or the like). Ineither embodiment, (e.g., either based on a user setting or as a fixedsetting) the bleed-off outlet 1906 may comprise a soft tube or othersoft channel pinched by a knob, clamp, and/or another pinchingmechanism.

The valve unit 108, in some embodiments, may include a check valve 1910(e.g., in the outlet line 114 or the like) to prevent pressure fromcoming back into the container 106 once the float 110 has reached a stop1108 and a liquid is no longer entering the container 106. For example,in one embodiment, without a check valve 1910, a liquid from the outletline 114 may overfill the container 106 until pressure in the outletline 114 was relieved, instead of the container 106 operating with apredefined shutoff volume of liquid. In other embodiments, the container106 and valve unit 108 may operate without a check valve 1910. The checkvalve 1910 depicted in FIG. 23 , in one embodiment, is in communicationwith the piston compartment 1904 or other chamber 1904, to allow liquidto exit the chamber 1904 so that the chamber 1904 does not build upbackpressure, causing the piston 1102 to cease functioning due to therestricted flow rate through the bleed-off outlet 1906. The check valve1910, in some embodiments, may reduce and/or eliminate backpressureagainst the diaphragm 1902, clearing excess pressure to allow an openposition of the diaphragm 1902 and the valve 108.

A lid 802 of the container 106, in some embodiments, may comprise one ormore cutouts, ports, and/or other openings, which may be aligned withcorresponding cutouts, ports, and/or other openings in the container106, each sized to accept an inlet 104, an outlet 114, a hose, a tube,and/or another interface of the valve unit 108. The lid 802, in afurther embodiment, may be rotatable when the valve unit 108 is removedfrom the container 106, to block and/or seal the one or more cutouts,ports, and/or other openings in the container 106 (e.g., to preventunwanted liquid, debris, or the like from entering the container 106).In certain embodiments, the container 106 may comprise a catch areabeneath the float assembly 110, allowing dirt, debris, insects, or thelike to settle below the float 110, such that they do not impedemovement of the float assembly 110.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a container shaped toreceive a liquid; an inlet configured to allow the liquid to enter thecontainer; an outlet configured to allow the liquid to exit thecontainer; a valve actuated to open the valve at a first liquid level ofthe liquid within the container and to close the valve at a differentliquid level of the liquid within the container; a float disposed withinthe container between upper and lower surfaces, the upper surfacecomprising an interface point for the float, the interface point incontact with the float in response to the liquid reaching the firstliquid level; and a magnet coupled to the float, the magnet actuatingthe valve based on a position of the float within the container suchthat a distance between the first liquid level and the different liquidlevel is defined at least partially based on a distance between theupper and lower surfaces.
 2. (canceled)
 3. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the valve comprises a piston and a diaphragm, the magnetactuating the piston to open the diaphragm at the first liquid level andto close the diaphragm at the different liquid level.
 4. The apparatusof claim 3, further comprising a rod coupled to the float, the rodcomprising the magnet coupled to the float via the rod.
 5. The apparatusof claim 4, further comprising a corresponding magnet coupled to thepiston positioned to magnetically interact with the magnet coupled tothe float.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a disccoupled to the rod, the disk comprising the magnet coupled to the float,the magnet coupled to the float repelling the corresponding magnetcoupled to the piston at the different liquid level to close thediaphragm, the float slidably coupled to the disk by the rod with a stopsuch that the float slides down the rod without moving the disk untilreaching the stop, a weight of the float disengaging the magnet coupledto the float such that the piston opens the diaphragm at the firstliquid level.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the upper and lowersurfaces comprise surfaces of upper and lower extensions, respectively,extending from the rod, the float movably disposed between the upper andlower extensions such that the distance between the first liquid leveland the different liquid level is defined at least partially based on adistance between the upper and lower extensions.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the valve comprises a magnetic flap that pivots withinthe valve, the magnet coupled to the float comprises a rotary magnetthat attracts the magnetic flap at the first liquid level to open thevalve and that repels the magnetic flap at the different liquid level toclose the valve.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a delaylatch configured to mechanically hold the valve closed in response to adelay factor satisfying a threshold.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the different liquid level is at least a predefined distancehigher in the container than the first liquid level, a timing duringwhich the valve is open based at least partially on the predefineddistance.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a wickingmaterial extending from within the container to an outside of thecontainer allowing the liquid to enter and to exit the container basedon a moisture level outside of the container.
 12. The apparatus of claim1, further comprising a set screw defining a minimum distance betweenthe valve and the float disposed within the container.
 13. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the valve comprises a removable valve unitselectively installable within the container.
 14. The apparatus of claim1, further comprising a bleed-off outlet for the valve, the bleed-offoutlet adjustable to set a fill rate for the container and a timing forthe valve.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the bleed-off outletcomprises one of multiple interchangeable nozzles with different orificesizes selected to set the fill rate for the container and the timing forthe valve.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the valve ismechanically actuated based on the liquid level without usingelectricity.
 17. A valve comprising: a chamber; an actuator disposedwithin the chamber and coupled to a magnet such that the actuator moveswithin the chamber in response to a magnetic field; a diaphragm disposedalong one side of the chamber and actuated by movement of the actuatorwithin the chamber to open the valve at a first position of the actuatorwithin the chamber and to close the valve at a different position of theactuator within the chamber; a bleed-off outlet for the chamber; and anadjustment element for the bleed-off outlet that is manually adjustableto set a fill rate for a container associated with the valve and atiming for the valve.
 18. The valve of claim 17, wherein the magneticfield is provided by a different magnet external to the chamber, thedifferent magnet actuated by movement of a float such that the magneticfield opens the valve at a first liquid level and closes the valve at adifferent liquid level based on a position of the float.
 19. The valveof claim 18, wherein the different magnet is coupled to a rod actuatedby the float.
 20. A method comprising: receiving a liquid in acontainer, the container comprising an outlet; allowing the liquid toexit the container via the outlet; and actuating a valve based on aliquid level in the container to open the valve at a first liquid levelwithin the container and to close the valve at a different liquid levelwithin the container, wherein a float is disposed within the containerbetween upper and lower surfaces, the upper surface comprises aninterface point for the float, the interface point is in contact withthe float in response to the liquid reaching the first liquid level, amagnet is coupled to the float, the magnet actuates the valve based on aposition of the float within the container such that a distance betweenthe first liquid level and the different liquid level is defined atleast partially based on a distance between the upper and lowersurfaces.